Leaving the Monster Mountain Range

"All right, pack up your things. Tomorrow, we leave this place and set out on a new journey."

"We're leaving so soon?"

"We're leaving together, not splitting up. When we have time in the future, we can come back here too." Seeing Xiao Yi Xian's reluctant look, Xiao Tian comforted her.

"Mm-hmm. Then I'll go pack."

"Mm, go on." Xiao Tian lightly patted Xiao Yi Xian's bottom.

"Ah, you big pervert." Xiao Yi Xian's cheeks flushed red. Covering her rear, she scolded him with a smile and went into the grass shed to pack her things, then went out with a basket to gather herbs.

Xiao Tian lay back down on the rock and leisurely hummed some unknown tune, quietly watching Xiao Yi Xian gather herbs.

Night fell.

After casually eating a little, the two sat beside the fire, quietly gazing up at the enchanting night sky. Only when the moon in the sky gradually dimmed and drowsiness washed over them did they lean against each other and fall asleep.

In the early morning, warm sunlight spilled down, and the two woke from their sleep.

They washed up briefly.

"Where are we going?" Looking at Xiao Tian beside her, Xiao Yi Xian asked.

"Our next stop is Black Rock City. We'll go to the Alchemist Guild there so I can take an alchemist grade assessment. Having an alchemist identity makes a lot of things more convenient, and it'll also let us gather the Medicinal Herbs we need faster," Xiao Tian said after thinking for a moment.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi Xian used the Bamboo Whistle to summon Xiao Lan. A giant blue eagle swiftly flew over and landed accurately in front of the two of them.

Xiao Tian held Xiao Yi Xian and leapt onto the giant eagle's back. Once the two were seated steadily, the blue giant eagle slowly rose into the air. Xiao Yi Xian pressed her soft, delicate body against Xiao Tian, looked down at the valley and grass shed gradually shrinking below, and murmured, "Goodbye."

After leaving Small Mountain Valley, the two guided Xiao Lan's direction. Along the way, they occasionally stopped to let Xiao Lan recover her strength. After a full day of long-distance flight, they saw the massive outline of a city the next morning. In a remote Dense Forest, the blue giant eagle slowly descended.

The two got down from the giant eagle. Xiao Yi Xian stroked it, preparing to let it freely go elsewhere.

"This is a Shape-shifting Pill. Feed it one, and it'll be able to shrink and stay by your side. If the pill's effect isn't interrupted and it doesn't change back to its original form, one pill can last a month. There are ten inside." Xiao Tian said, holding a Jade Bottle.

Xiao Yi Xian happily accepted the Medicinal Pill. She had just been worrying about what to do with Xiao Lan. There were many strong people in a large city, and she was afraid someone might hunt Xiao Lan down.

Xiao Yi Xian poured out one Medicinal Pill and placed it into the giant eagle's mouth. A flash of light passed, and the blue giant eagle turned into a blue bird the size of an ordinary pigeon.

Xiao Lan excitedly flapped her wings and landed on Xiao Yi Xian's shoulder.

"Thank you, Xiao Tian." Xiao Yi Xian happily kissed Xiao Tian on the cheek.

"Between you and me, there's no need to say thanks. Let's go. We'll enter the city first, then look for where the Alchemist Guild is."

Xiao Tian walked toward the city gate, and Xiao Yi Xian quickly followed.

When they arrived at the city gate, Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian discovered that the city's huge walls were actually built entirely from neat blocks of black rock, making them look extremely sturdy and oppressive.

After paying the required tax at the entrance, the two entered the city smoothly. After entering the city, Xiao Tian silently recited, System Check-in.

[ DING, check-in location: Black Rock City. Check-in successful. Obtained: Dou Ling Pill*12 ]

Walking along the streets of Black Rock City, Xiao Yi Xian sighed and said, "As expected of a large city. It's much more prosperous than Green Mountain Town. It's only early morning, yet there are already so many people, and there's even a dedicated guard force maintaining order."

"Then let's stroll around while looking for the Alchemist Guild."

Xiao Tian and Xiao Yi Xian kept buying things along the way, as well as purchasing quite a few of the Medicinal Herbs they needed.

As they were strolling, the two were attracted by a magnificent building in front of them. The entire building resembled a Medicine Cauldron, appearing rather unique and elegant.

Their gazes focused on the entrance of the building. On a pale purple plaque, five ancient characters—"Alchemist Guild"—flickered with a faint glow.

Looking at the Alchemist Guild, Xiao Tian silently recited, System Check-in.

[ DING, check-in at Black Rock City Alchemist Guild. Check-in successful. Obtained: Purple Abyss Cauldron ]

Purple Abyss Cauldron: ranked third on the Heaven Cauldron Ranking. It was originally a strange purple stone, which transformed into a cauldron after absorbing the essence of the sun and moon for over a thousand years.

Xiao Tian's heart shook. This was the cauldron ranked third on the Heaven Cauldron Ranking. Like the Heavenly Flame Ranking, everything on the Heaven Cauldron Ranking was something alchemists dreamed of obtaining.

"Xiao Tian, is this the Alchemist Guild, the sacred place in the hearts of all alchemists?" Xiao Yi Xian said with envy in her eyes.

"Mm. Let's go in and take a look." Xiao Tian steadied his mind, then lifted his foot and walked toward the Alchemist Guild.

Arriving at the main entrance, the Guard at the door stopped the two of them and said in a deep, muffled voice, "Young brother, this is the Alchemist Guild. You want to go in? Then do you have an Introduction Letter?"

"Sorry, I don't have an Introduction Letter," Xiao Tian said.

Just as Xiao Tian was about to display Condense Solid Flame the way Xiao Yan had, an arrogant voice rang out. "Kid, you dare come here without an Introduction Letter? Do you know what this place is? Is this somewhere any stray cat or dog like you can casually enter?"

A young man walked out from inside the Alchemist Guild. His face was full of displeasure and arrogance. One glance was enough to tell he had failed the assessment and been eliminated.

When the Guard saw the newcomer, he said, "Young Master Han Kun, did the assessment go smoothly? Please give our regards to your teacher."

Looking toward the three conversing people, Xiao Tian stretched out his hand. A surging, bright-red flame blazed up in his palm, its scorching heat reflecting across the surroundings. Xiao Tian separated a wisp of flame, and it flew straight toward the young man's head at great speed, burning his hair and eyebrows completely clean in an instant.

"Pfft." Seeing the young man burned into a bare, shiny Bald Egg, Xiao Yi Xian could not help laughing out loud. She then hurriedly covered her mouth, holding it in until her little face turned red.

"Condense Solid Flame, a Fourth Grade Alchemist?"

The two Guards and the young man cried out in shock. Condense Solid Flame was something only at least a Fourth Grade Alchemist or above could do. Seeing this, the young man scrambled and crawled out of the Alchemist Guild. If his family found out he had offended a High Grade Alchemist, he would probably be skinned alive.

Xiao Tian paid no attention to the young man fleeing in a sorry state. After withdrawing the Qilin Burning Sky Flame in his hand, he said to the two Guards, "Can I go in now?"

The two Guards hurriedly bent at the waist and said in awe, "Little brother—oh no, sir, please go in. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

"No need." Xiao Tian glanced at Xiao Yi Xian, then walked slowly into the Alchemist Guild with her.

As soon as he entered, a rich medicinal fragrance rushed into his nose, and in an instant, his body felt a hundred times more refreshed.

There were only a scattered few people inside the hall. A woman quickly came to Xiao Tian and the others' side. "Sir, miss, I am Yu He, a receptionist here. Is there anything I can help you with?"

"I came to receive an alchemist rank Badge. What is the process for claiming one?" Xiao Tian said with a smile.

"Sir, you are an alchemist?" Yu He asked, stunned.

"Yes." Xiao Tian nodded.

"All right, this way, please. I'll register you." Yu He respectfully stepped back a few paces, arrived at the counter, and took out a Parchment Scroll and a pen. Smiling at Xiao Tian, she said, "Sir, please state your name, age, and mentor."

"Xiao Tian. Age eighteen. Mentor: Tong Lao." Xiao Tian pondered for a moment, then decided to report a fake age.